The famous Rutgers tomato, a history

7 years ago

From the Smithsonian Magazine, a small story on the origins of the Rutgers tomato. I know many here will appreciate this!

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/scientists-recapturing-magic-beloved-long-lost-tomato-180971912/

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lindac92

7 years ago

I grew up in New Jersey, the grand daughter and daughter of dedicated tomato growers. I remember when the Rutgers was a new thing, and then when my father turned to "Beefsteak"...huge tomatoes....one slice would fill a sandwich.

Maybe a tomato sandwich would be a perfect before bed snack....

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Comments (7)

annie1992
7 years ago
Thanks, sushipup. I'd read that part about being the basis for Campbell's Soup, but didn't realize the original version was nearly gone.

They do well here, and I just keep planting them. They are my always consistent "canning tomato".

Annie
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bragu_DSM 5
7 years ago
the new one's are smaller than the 'originals' .... and not as tasty IMHO ... but as tomato taste is subjective, I won't go ad nauseam on you.

I like a good tomato, what's good to me may be a spitter to you. I have yet to find a less than worthy cherry type tomato, unless they just don't produce well. I need to try those rainbows Annie. They look great.

Here, the tomatoes developed at Iowa State ... the jet star ... is my go to canning tomato, mixed with the meaty Romas. When I don't can, I just slice and bag, and double bag them, like I do with sweet corn. Which reminds me, dilly beans ...
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dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
So many choices, 25,000 varieties?

Because of climate variations from year to year, you have to try out the same variety three to four years before you can determine if that variety is good for your taste and can grow well in your garden.

I have room in my garden for about 80 plants, so it's fun to keep trying.

dcarch
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l pinkmountain
7 years ago
What I like about Rutgers is they are perfect tomato sandwich size, reliable producers and don't have the folding that some of the heirlooms have. They are easy to process. Good all around flavor, although I like some of the big heirlooms but they are a pain to cut out all the weird spots. They are also my "go to" canning tomato although I usually have a mix of a few other types that I grow for the variety. I grew Rocky Top this year and was not impressed.
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jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
7 years ago
Thanks for this article - very interesting. I think my grandparents grew those tomatoes on their farm in NJ in the 50s. It was to make tomato sauce to last the year. Make the sauce, slap a basil leaf on top and seal the jar. Heavenly sauce through the winter months.
sushipup1 thanked jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
lindac92
7 years ago
OOh! Jerzeegirl! I forgot about the basil leaf on the top of the jar of canned tomatoes!
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The famous Rutgers tomato, a history

lindac92

Comments (7)

annie1992

bragu_DSM 5

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